U70 sign system

Published June 3, 2025

Contributed by 205TF

The U70 building, located at Uferstrasse 70 in Basel, Switzerland, is a former warehouse and logistics facility that has been transformed into a vibrant mixed-use space. Previously known as the Gondrand building, it was repurposed by the Canton of Basel-Stadt to accommodate activities in sports, culture, gastronomy, and various trades.

The signage was designed by Swiss studio Hauser, Schwarz. On their website, we can read:

For the repurposing of the former storage building at 70 Uferstrasse, we developed the signage concept. The question of what to do with the massive Gondrand lettering posed a challenge: should it be completely removed or replaced? In the end, we decided to “erase” parts of the individual letters to obscure them, thereby referencing the overarching theme of “Transformation” in the renovation. The clearly structured typography and the reduced graphic elements ensure intuitive orientation within the building. The color scheme and typography blend harmoniously with the raw aesthetics of the building and its port surroundings, supporting its new identity.

For the occasion, the pictograms were designed by the studio, in perfect harmony with the Maax Mono and Maax Mono Stencil fonts, designed by Damien Gautier and distributed by 205TF.

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